In Surgery now, Pacemaker and Diaphragm Plication

When they took her away for her surgery I had to move all her treasures off her bed. It just didn't feel right. Seeing her wheeled away on that big bed felt heavy. Her OR nurse (male and same one as the day of her Open heart surgery) and Anesthesiologist were the sweetest men we could have wished for today. She was asleep but that did not stop them from talking to her all the way, loving on her, and being absolutely amazing! So thankful!

Today we got more adorable pictures and treasures from some more very sweet little girls! Thank you Chloe and Avery! Children and adults, Tiny kids and big kids.. It just blows my mind, loving our girl through prayer and cards and beautiful artwork, gifts and emails and constant thoughts! Gale said it well, though we may not have ~met~ We are all sisters and brothers in Christ.

I don't know why God chose Ivy to use in such a big way. I don't know why it is that He has pressed on so many hearts, the overwhelming call to lift her in prayer, the heaviness on hearts for this precious child we call Ivy Joy, the deep desire to see her healed and home, but He has and the only way I have to thank you is through this blog and by keeping you updated as often as possible.  Thank you!! God is using you to give me strength. Only He could give the kind of strength to get through something like this, you know what I mean? It's big stuff, hard stuff, overwhelming stuff!

Ivy is still in surgery right now (6:52pm) as I type this. the doctor is hoping he can place the pacemaker through the same insiscion as the diaphragm repair. But, he warned me that if he could not, he would need to open her chest back up. I want this to work and I want what is best for Ivy so whatever it takes, lets just get it done so we can have Ivy back!

I have to tell you though, seeing her off for surgery today was harder than February 26th when she came in for this huge open heart surgery! I know this is crazy but let me explain. We had a blue baby, a baby with a very crazy little heart, she needed so much done to it and we raced to get her home for that. Her surgery was her only chance at life, she was not going to survive any longer without it, so while it was scary, it was good, it was her chance at life!

This time, her heart is fixed. Her pace is not without help and her lung is not working but she is pink and she is here! So the crazy thoughts raced through my mind this time. Thoughts that did not haunt me last time. Will the anesthesia have side effects, will the heart be able to keep working if she goes in to surgery again, will her diaphragm really be fixed, what if her lungs can't do the work even with a diaphragm repair, what if.. what if... what if she comes back on ECMO..... Yikes! I had to stop myself from all this nonsense and remember that it has never been through my own strength that I have made it this far. Oh what comfort that is!! And He who made her, knows her! He who made her, loves her!!! He who loves her will bring her back to us and we will be right here waiting!

Love to all of you!!!!!